Every word Nassef Sawiris has said about Aston Villa partnership with Vissel Kobe
The latest Aston Villa news as the joint-owner has explained more about the partnership with the Japanese club and the next step that will be taken.
Aston Villa owner Nassef Sawiris has outlined what will be involved in the partnership between Villa and Japanese club Vissel Kobe.
Villa announced the partnership on Thursday morning, with the two clubs entering a ‘collaborative partnership'. Kobe become the third club to have a partnership with Villa, joining Portuguese side Vitoria Sport Clube and Egyptian side ZED FC.
The agreement between Villa and Kobe seems to be similar to that between the club and ZED FC. A statement on the club’s website said that the clubs will “work to create a bilateral development framework for players and staff which will enhance youth development alongside the cooperative sharing of ideas, techniques, and best practice”.
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In with the statement, Sawiris also appears in a video where he explains more about the partnership and the next steps involved for both clubs. Here’s every word of what he has said in that video:
“We are delighted to announce a new partnership with the prestigious Japanese football club Vissel Kobe. I want to thank my friend Hiroshi Mikitani (the club owner) and the president of Vissel Kobe Mr Yuki Chifu for this opportunity. The partnership will benefit both Vissel Kobe and Aston Villa in many ways; The clubs will work together and share knowledge in key areas such as performance, scouting and recruitment, data analysis, first team squad management, commercial and brand awareness.
“Aston Villa will also assist with the development of elite academy players at Vissel Kobe and the development of Vissel Kobe’s youth development coaching staff, will help create pathways for Vissel Kobe players to play in Europe, and ultimately, hopefully, Aston Villa. An Aston Villa academy team will be travelling to play an international tournament in Japan in 2024 - a fantastic opportunity for the Villa boys to travel to a new country and play football in a new environment.
“Vissel Kobe’s academy teams will be invited to play in tournaments here at Villa Park and also in Egypt at our partner club ZED FC. We look forward to welcoming senior members of the Vissel Kobe management team to Villa later this month, and at the same time we are delighted to be hosting two of Vissel Kobe’s most talented under-16 players for a week of training at Bodymoor Heath in Birmingham.
“I’m sure this will be a hugely successful partnership and we look forward to working closely with our friends in Kobe over the coming years. Good luck to Vissel Kobe for your remaining games of the season and your efforts to win the league title.”